I'm sure that they (FedEx) are looking at what Delta did some years back when they offered early outs, then hired back the Capt's as contract until they could man the seats. Capt's double dip, and the money doesn't come out of the contract pool of money. However can you imagine trying to get that side letter passed and the can of worms that would open up ! What a cluster this has become because FedEx wanted to save money in the short term.